Comments

I hate to tell you this but this project is a non starter. If you have even just one colour illustration in your book it will be charged as a full colour book. To manufacture a 250 page 6 x 9 inch colour hard back book costs £ 51.55. The book distributor takes half of the cover price so you would have to charge at least $ 104 to earn a few pence.

To manufacture a black and white 250 page 6 x 9 inch hard cover book would cost £ 11.40 so you would have to charge at least £ 24.

Books that go into distribution - and yes your book would be available on Amazon - can be ordered from the distributor. Self published books do not generally go into bookshops. These order from the publisher at a very deep discount off the cover prices and if the books do not sell they get returned to the publisher. Self published books are only printed on demand. The only thing you could do is pay for the books to be printed yourself and then offer them to your local bookshop on a consignment basis, but this is financially risky.

Traditionally a small print run of hard cover books was released for literary authors; these may become collectibles and people are prepared to pay for them. Most authors would go straight to paperback. I think it is a bit of a vanity for an unknown self published author to hope to sell hard cover books. If you're printing a family history book to give to your grandma then that's probably fine but to expect people to part with the kind of money required for a hard back book...I wouldn't hold my breath.

As for getting your self-pub work into major stores, if your work is of a high enough quality and captures the imagination of enough readers, it could happen. Some people do win mega-millions from playing the lotto even though the odds aren't great.

Your odds are better if you've already got a following, your writing is on a par with that of award-winning authors, you have a budget and time for marketing and advertising, and you're patient.

"I think it is a bit of a vanity for an unknown self published author to hope to sell hard cover books".

Thanks for the advice, it is much appreciated - as to the comment above, do forgive me for saying so but that seems a little harsh without your knowing both me, the subject and the possible market for it - whilst I do accept said market may be limited, it is however, still there.

My desire is simply to produce a good book.

By the way - so you are aware of it...I'm a journalist and write regular articles for magazines....

just thought I'd mention that.

Thanks again for the help, any further input would be greatly appreciated.

I've sold 2 hardbacks of my book in 2 years. But the paperback and kindle have sold many more. Why not make all three and increase your chances? The reason it's so difficult to sell hardbacks here is that the price is so high even on our end that we have to increase the price just to make a profit. Making too expensive for potential buyers on Amazon etc. I'd suggest doing all 3 versions let the buyers choose the format.

Okay so...first, thanks for the replies (don't stop! I may need you further....)

Here's where I am with this project;

I have a particular reason for wanting this to be a hardback book and if it needs to be without images, then fine, its not crucial. Obviously I would prefer images to be in it...but I *can* do without...

I do intend to make it available as an-ebook, yes I am aware of the greater potential fo0r this so will be doing so.

Question - how would a three-page centre insert selection of b/w images affect the price?

Images, maps and diagrams in B&W won't raise the cost of printing much.

Kevj1 wrote:

Okay so...first, thanks for the replies (don't stop! I may need you further....)

Here's where I am with this project;

I have a particular reason for wanting this to be a hardback book and if it needs to be without images, then fine, its not crucial. Obviously I would prefer images to be in it...but I *can* do without...

I do intend to make it available as an-ebook, yes I am aware of the greater potential fo0r this so will be doing so.

Question - how would a three-page centre insert selection of b/w images affect the price?